Wheel holder



Jan. 23, 1934. I B POTTER 1,944,266

WHEEL HOLDER Filed May 21, 1932 Patented Jan. 23, 1934 AT err 11:

one-fifth to Carl 0.

Gill and one-fifth to Gecrge S. Gilman, Sioux City, Iowa Application May 21, 1932. Serial No. 612,836

Claims.

My invention relates to a wheel holder of the type used in garages for holding wheels While a tire is being changed.

An object of my invention is to provide such a 5 wheel holder which can be vertically mounted so that it can be conveniently used without bending over as in the present type of holder now in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheel holder which can be readily changed to 0 hold a wire wheel or a wooden wheel, as desired.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheel holder which can be adjusted for various sizes of wheels.

A further object of my invention is to provide a wheel holder which will grip the wheel without injuring the paint or other finish.

A further object of my invention is to provide a wheel holder which can be clamped to a wheel in a very minimum of time without resorting to the necessity. of screwing in a series of clamps, as is present in the usual type.

A further object of my inventionis to accomplish the above mentioned objects in a device, which is of comparative simplicity and is easy of manufacture.

With these and other objects in View, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the wheel holder,

Figure 2 is a side view and showing a wooden wheel in place on the holder,

Figure 3 is a side view showing a wire wheel in place,

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of a part of the holder, and

Figure 5 is a further enlarged detail view of part of the holder.

Ihave used the reference character 10 to indicate the wall of a garage or other building where the device is to be used.

The character 11 indicates the floor. The framework of course, of the holder is bolted to the wall 10 by means of the flanges 13, 14, 15 and 16. The upper flanges 13 and 14 are integral extensions of the inclined members 1'7 and 18.

The members 17 and 18 include the cushioning pieces 19 and 20, which are merely small pieces of leather or other suitable cushioning material, which are pinned as shown.

Pinned to the members 17 and 18 are also the elements 21, 22, 23 and 24, which are pinned generally by means of the pin 25. Pinned between the members 21, 22 and between 23 and 24 are the strips 26 and 27, which are pinned .at 28. p

These strips form generally a Y shapefas shown, and their lower vertical portions 29 and V 30 (see Figure 5) include the adjusting downwardly disposed slots 31, 32 and 33.

Pinned to the extensions 29 and 30 are the guards 34 and 35. These guards project slightly beyond the vertical members, as shown in Figure 5, so that when the rim or" the wheel is gripped, it will not be caught in the corner, such as 36.

It Will be seen that the members 21, 22, 23 and 24 provide a pair of fork or U shaped elements, which are positioned to receive the. levers 37 and 38. i

The levers 37 and 38 are provided with U shaped elements 39 and 40, which straddle the members 17 and 18 and are pivotally pinned as at 40a. 7 a

The end of the levers 3'7 and 38 include. slight depressions as 41, in which slight depressions are firmly attached the cushioning leather or other material, pieces 42.

It will now beseen that the elements 37 and 38 can be swung out of the way or vertically, as shown in Figure 3 when a wire wheel is to be held or downwardly intothe receiving forks composed of the members 21, 22, 23 and 24 when a wooden wheel is to be grasped and as shown in Figure 2. 5

A further lever 43 is pivotally mounted in any one of the slots 31, 82 or 33 by means of the pin 44 passing therethrough. v

The lower end of the lever 43 carries the member 45, into which is placed the member 46, which 99 member ispivoted at the pin 47.

Secured to the piece 46 is the cushioning leather or other suitable material, such as 47.

Secured to the inner end of the lever 43 are the pieces 48 and 49. The pieces 48 and 49 are attached by means of the bolt 50, which passes through them, the lever 43 and the yoke 51.

The yoke 51 is secured to the rod 52, which terminates in the stiff spring 53. 100

The spring 53 is secured through an-opening 54 in the foot lever 55.

The pieces 48 and 49 are attached to the further springs 56 and 57, which are secured to the members 17 and 18, such as at 58. The foot lever 105 55 includes the round pedal 59. I

The lower end of the frame includes the vertical members 60 and 61, which are parallel and spaced slightly apart.

Pinned to the member 61 at 62 is the frame 63,

which includes a series of upwardly angled slots 64.

The lever is provided with a flange 65, which is adapted to be received within the slots 64. The inner end of the lever 55 includes the open ended slot 66, which receives the rigid pins 67 or 68, which are secured between the members and 61.

The framework 63 is suitably secured at its lower end by means of the bolt or pin 69.

Attached at approximately the mid point of the lever 43 is the strip 70. The strip is pivotally secured with a pin or other suitable means to the lever 43 at 71. The strip 70 is also pivotally se cured at '72 to the lever 73. V

The lever '73 at its end also includes a depression 74, into which is secured the cushioning member '75.

The inner end of the lever '73 includes an open ended slot 76, which receives the pins Wand '78.

The lower frame includes the outwardly extending flanges '79 andSO, which provide a means for steadying this lowerpart.

The vertical members 29 and 30 are secured to the further vertical members 60 and 61 by the horizontal integral extensions 81. I shall now proceed to explain the operation of the device.

If a wooden wheel is to be grasped, first the levers 37 and 38 are allowed to drop within the U shaped members composed of the pieces 21, 22, '23 and 24. The open ended clot 76 of the lever '13 is then placed over either the pin '77 or '18, depending "upon the adjustment of the size of wheel to be gripped.

The primary position of the lever 73 will be then, as indicated in Figure 2 in the dotted lines 73a, and the other levers will be shown also in dotted lines. 7

The foot pedal will be approximately in the position, as shown at 55a in the same figure.

The upper inner rim of the wheel is then placed .on the cushions L2, as shown and held there while the foot is placed on thefpedal 59, and the lever 55 then forced downwardly to the position, as shown'in solid lines. In this way the wooden wheel is firmly gripped, as shown, with no injurious, effects and on a vertical plane.

The woodenwheel is indicated by the character 82. A pin 83 can be used to provide a stop so that the lever 3'7 will be positioned approximately horizontally or if desired, the lever can drop to the lower'end of the U. i

it will be seen that the inherent stiffness 'of the large spring 53 will take up'any adjustment in the device and prevent any severe strain on any parts of the wheel, which would cause injury, and furthermore the springs 56 and 57 provide suitable tension means.

As soon as the lever 55 is depressed su mciently,

it is released, and the flange 65 slides within one of the slots 64, and thewl eel is then ready for removing or replacing the casing.

When a wirewheel istobe used, "(see Figure 3) the following process is involved.

In this case, the members 37 and '38 are swung upwardly and rest either vertically or back against the wall. The upper inner rim of the wheel 34 is then held against the cushioning pieces 19 and 20. In'this operation the lever 73 is allowed 'to drop to the position, as shown, since it is not-used in this process. In this case the foot lever 55 is depressed in the san'oenianner, and it "will be seen that when used witha wooden wheel,

power was transmitted to the arms 73 by means of the link '70beingsecuredbetweenthe lever 73 the wire wheel. In this way the wire wheel will be grasped firmly, and the adjusting slots 31, 32 and 33 will allow adjustment to any size of wire wheel rim.

In a like manner the pressure is transmitted positively and yet without any undue strains on account of the spring 53, and the various adjustments can be taken up in the manners shown.

.In the usual mechanical device now used, the device is placed on a table at a fairly low level and is positioned horizontally, and it consists of three jaws similar to a chuck, which are adapted to grasp the wheel. In this case it is necessary for the operator to bend over this type of holder with a resulting loss of efiiciency at those points fur- T therest away, and it usually takes some time to adjust these devices.

It will be seen that in the use of the present device, that the entire rim of the wheel will be close to the operator and can be readily put in T place and then gripped firmly so that the tire removing or replacing operation can be quickly performed.

It will also be seen that I have provided an efficient mechanism for rigidly holding a wire or wooden wheel for automotive vehicles.

It will also be seen that I have provided adjusting features for various sizes of such wheels.

It will also be seen that the device functions in -a minimum of time and results in saving of f time in tire changing or other purposes and is of ture or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim-as my invention:

1. A wheel holder comprising a frame, a plurality ofinwardly movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a

plurality of outwardlymovable jaws arranged to 1 grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a footoperated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a-rod attac'hedto the spring, 'a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to-cont'rolb'oth types.

2. A wheel holder comprising a frame, a plurality of inwardly movable jaws arrangedt'o-grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a plurality of outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel,- and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a footoperated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, 'a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to controlboth types, the lower jaw of the outwardly moving group including means for disengagement when not in use.

3. A'whaelholder comprising a frame, a :plu- 1,;

rality of inwardly movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a plurality of outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a foot operated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to control both types, the lower jaw of the outwardly moving group including means for disengagement when not in use, and means for adjusting the diameter of the periphery enclosed by the jaws.

4. A wheel holder comprising a frame, a plurality of inwardly movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a plurality of outwardly movable jaws arrangedv to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a foot operated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to control both types, the lower jaw of the outwardly moving group including means for disengagement when not in use, and means for adjusting the diameter of the periphery enclosed by the jaws, including vertically positioned slots and pins in the frame.

5. A wheel holder comprising a vertically mounted frame, a plurality of vertically outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip an inner periphery of a wheel pivotally mounted to the frame, and foot controlled means for operating the jaws, including a foot lever, a rod connected to the foot lever, and tension means between the lever and the jaws.

6. A wheel holder comprising a vertically mounted frame, a plurality of vertically outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel pivotally mounted to the frame, and foot controlled means for operating the jaws, including a foot lever, a rod connected to the foot lever, and tension means between the lever and the jaws, and means for holding the foot lever in desired position including a lower frame, a plurality of upwardly disposed slots in the lower frame, and a flange attached to the foot lever which the slots receive.

7. A wheel holder comprising a vertically mounted frame, a plurality of vertically movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted to the frame, and foot controlled means the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and com-- mon means for operating either type of jaws independently including a foot operated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to control both types.

9. A wheel holder comprising a frame, a plurality of movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a plurality of outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a foot operated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to control both types, the lower jaw of the outwardly moving group including means for disengagement when not in use. 7

10. A wheel holder comprising a frame, a plurality of movable jaws arranged to grip a wheel rim pivotally mounted on the frame, a plurality of outwardly movable jaws arranged to grip the outer inner periphery of a wheel, and common means for operating either type of jaws independently including a foot operated lever, a spring attached to the foot lever, a rod attached to the spring, a link attached to the lower of both types of jaws and arranged to control both types, the lower jaw of the outwardly moving group including means for disengagement when not in use, and means for adjusting the diameter of the periphery enclosed by the jaws, including vertically positioned slots and pins in the frame.

HAROLD B. POTTER. 

